For grads of rehab, tears of joy

CLEARWATER - There have been dark days in the life of Maxine Anderson.

She was living on the streets of St. Petersburg three years ago when she was arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia.

But when she returned to a Pinellas County courtroom Tuesday, she came for a much happier occasion.

Instead of a jail sentence, Judge Dee Anna Farnell gave Anderson a diploma marking her graduation from drug court.

"I'm happy now. I'm not doing drugs. I have my own home, " said Anderson, 48, the mother of three grown children. "I have stuff that I thought I would never have again."

About 100 graduates joined Anderson at the Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Court ceremony.

Recovering drug users around Florida received diplomas in their own ceremonies during "Drug Court Month."

Drug court diverts drug users who meet certain criteria into rehabilitation programs that include counseling and treatment. Some start the treatment while they are still in jail.

Officials estimate that drug court saved Pinellas taxpayers almost $10-million last year by treating some drug users rather than repeatedly putting them in jail, where it costs an estimated $93 a day to house an inmate.

The first drug court in Florida opened in Miami. The state now has 106, and Florida served as a model for drug courts in other states a few years ago.

"Drug court started right here in Florida, something that we should really be proud of, " Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp told the graduates.

"This provides real hope. ... Every graduate here today has a new opportunity."